CULTURE
Pick Up Stories
Yabuchi Island: Old Yonashiro Town ⑤ [Okinawa Series]
Yabuchi Island is a very small uninhabited island that once belonged to the then Yonashiro Town. The island is connected to the mainland by ...Read More
Ikei Island: Old Yonashiro Town ④ [Okinawa Series]
Ikei Island is the final island along the chain that belongs to the Yonashiro District. The red painted bridge that connects Miyagi and Ikei...Read More
Miyagi Island: Old Yonashiro Town ③ [Okinawa Series]
The next island from Henza is Miyagi Island which is also connected by a bridge, albeit it is much, much smaller than the Kai-chu-doro. In f...Read More
2021.01.19
Muuchii’s big lunar day is celebrated tomorrow [CULTURE]
Muuchii is the day that in Okinawa is traditionally considered as the beginning of the winter. It’s December 8th according to the lunar calendar, which by the Gregorian calendar th...
2021.01.09
Coming of Age Day introduces thousands to adulthood [Community]
For thousands of young men and women in Okinawa, and countless thousands more in mainland Japan, Monday’s going to be the biggest day of their lives. Seijin no Hi is coming up Mond...
2020.12.30
What do you do on Okinawa during the New Year? [CULTURE]
It’s finally the end of the year 2020, and so it’s time to ask how was your year 2020? Good memories, bad memories, each person has their own. Probably many local people are still ...
2020.11.25
The history of the Ryukyu Kings digital animation [History Ryukyu History]
The history of the Ryukyu Kings animation movies are now available on YouTube. The movies were created by Urasoe Tourism Association “Urasoe Navi”. The movies offer English and Chi...
2020.11.16
The “PayPay” app is offering cash back up to ¥3,000 [Community News Technology]
“PayPay” is one of the most popular electronic payment apps in Japan. Okinawa city is trying to promote and encourage cashless payment on the island due to COVID 19 safety measures...
A town in Okinawa city has the same name as the American vice president elect [Community CURRENT ISSUE]
Kamala Harris is going to be the first female vice president of the United States. The locals of the Kamara district in Okinawa city are delighted because they pronounce the name o...
2020.11.07
King Sho-Nei exhibition at the Urasoe City Museum [History]
Urasoe City Museum is holding the exhibition of “King Sho-Nei”. He is one of the Kings in the second Sho dynasty in Ryukyu Kingdom era and the only King who is from Urasoe. He is ...
2020.10.23
Kuwanso Daylily in Nakijin is in full bloom [Community Nature & Environment]
The Kuwasano (daylily) field at Zamami Farm in Unten Nakijin village is now in full bloom and the farm is offering a flower picking experience for visitors. One interesting fact is...
2020.10.14
N-Bus offers free rides in Nanjo city [Community]
N-Bus it’s a local community loop line bus service driving around Nanjo city. They will celebrate their first year anniversary for this service and will be offering free rides on t...
2020.06.03
Okinawa Peace Memorial Park [History Ryukyu History]
Okinawa Peace Memorial Park is located in the Mabuni district of Itoman City, on the site of the last ground battle of the war on Okinawa at the end of WW II. It’s a place where hi...
2019.12.30
Visiting Okinawan Shrines for the New Year [Okinawa Series Ryukyu History]
Have you ever partaken in a Hatsumōde? Have you even heard of a “Hatsumōde”? “Hatsumōde” is a Japanese custom where Japanese people pay a visit to a shrine or temple on January 1st...
2019.12.06
OKinawa Holiday Season Illumination Guide 2019!! [Community ENTERTAINMENT]
OKinawa Illumination Guide!! Okuma illumination Early November ~ Late February @Okuma Private Beach &Resort (913 Okuma Kunigami Village) https://okumaresort.com/seasoncampaign...
2019.11.19
Ginowan is founded on history, tradition and legend [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu Ginowan City is located in the south-central part of Okinawa, on the west coast of the island facing the East China Sea. It borders Chatan Town and Kitanakagus...
2019.09.26
Motobu has more than Expo Park and Aquarium [Okinawa Series]
Motobu Town is located in the northern part of Okinawa, Kunigami District. The town has a total area of 54.30 square kilometers. Several islands can be accessed from Motobu such as...
2019.09.09
Shuri-jo Harvest Celebration, The ‘Chushu-no-Utage’ [CULTURE Ryukyu History]
Chushu-no-Utage, the Mid-Autumn Harvest Celebration, was one of seven banquets put forth by the Shuri royalty during the Ryukyu Kingdom Era in order to entertain guest envoys, the ...
2019.08.29
Kumiodori, Okinawa’s World-Renowned Performing Art [CULTURE Ryukyu History]
Kumiodori is a classical Ryukyu musical and theatrical performance that originated in the early 18th century. The Kumiodori is based on telling of story which is presented using so...
2019.08.27
Railroad helped build Yonabaru [Okinawa Series]
By Natalie Nakamatsu A little known historical fact of Okinawa is that it once had a railroad, and Yonabaru Town connected citizens to Naha City via a dozen stations. Yonabaru Town...
2019.08.19
All Okinawa Eisa Festival 2019 [CULTURE Festival]
The Zento Eisa Matsuri, the All Okinawa Eisa Festival, takes place every year on the first weekend after Obon. This tradition began in 1956 at what was then called Koza, what would...
2019.08.10
Okinawa welcomes ancestor spirits on Obon [Community]
Obon has a special place in the yearly calendar of Okinawan people. For three days from Tuesday, Aug. 13, through Thursday, local people observe, mainly at their homes, the three p...
2019.07.30
10000 Eisa dancers to take over Kokusai Street Aug. 4 [CULTURE Festival]
Rhythmic sounds of drums fill the air on Aug. 4th as thousands of dancers of all ages from some 70 groups will march along Kokusai Street in Naha in a seven-hour long procession. A...
RYUKYU PRESS